Compositions for Immunotherapy

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions which can be used in immunotherapy and especially to compositions which can be used in immunotherapy for mammals suffering from a peanut allergy. The present invention further relates to the use of the present compositions for the treatment of a mammal suffering from an allergy by immunotherapy and the use of the present compositions in a prophylactic treatment for desentizing the immune system of a mammal for an allergen. Specifically, the present invention relates compositions suitable for immunotherapy comprising an allergen, wherein substantially 100% of said allergen in said composition is complexed with aluminum. The allergen, e.g. peanut kernel protein extract, is preferably reduced and alkylated in these compositions.

1 . Composition suitable for immunotherapy comprising an allergen, wherein substantially 100% of said allergen in said composition is complexed, or conjugated, with aluminum. 
     
     
         2 . Composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said allergen is a peanut kernel protein extract. 
     
     
         3 . Composition according to  claim 2 , wherein said peanut kernel protein extract is modified by reduction and subsequent alkylation. 
     
     
         4 . Composition according to  claim 2  or  claim 3 , wherein said peanut kernel protein extract comprises at least Ara h1, Ara h2 and Ara h6 or Ara h2 and Ara h6. 
     
     
         5 . Composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said allergen is an allergenic protein. 
     
     
         6 . Composition according to  claim 5 , wherein said allergenic protein is selected from the group consisting of food proteins and venom proteins. 
     
     
         7 . Composition according to any of the  claims 1  to  6 , said composition further comprises pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents and/or excipients. 
     
     
         8 . Composition comprising an allergen, wherein substantially 100% of said allergen in said composition is complexed, or conjugated, with aluminum, for use in the treatment of a mammal suffering from an allergy by immunotherapy. 
     
     
         9 . Use according to  claim 8 , wherein said mammal is a human mammal. 
     
     
         10 . Use according to  claim 8  or  claim 9 , wherein said allergen is a peanut kernel protein extract and said allergy is peanut allergy. 
     
     
         11 . Use according to  claim 10 , wherein said peanut kernel protein extract is modified by reduction and subsequent alkylation. 
     
     
         12 . Composition comprising an allergen, wherein substantially 100% of said allergen in said composition is complexed, or conjugated, with aluminum, for use in a therapeutic treatment for desentizing the immune system of a mammal for said allergen or the use in a prophylactic treatment of a mammal with high predisposition for developing an allergy upon contact with said allergen. 
     
     
         13 . Use according to  claim 12 , wherein said mammal is a human mammal. 
     
     
         14 . Use according to  claim 12  or  claim 13 , wherein said allergen is a peanut kernel protein extract and the immune system is desensitized for exposure to peanuts. 
     
     
         15 . Use according to  claim 14 , wherein said peanut kernel protein extract is modified by reduction and subsequent alkylation. 
     
     
         16 . Composition comprising an allergen, wherein substantially 100% of said allergen in said composition is complexed, or conjugated, with aluminum, for use in medicine. 
     
     
         17 . Method for immunotherapy comprising administering to a mammal suffering from an allergy, or a mammal at risk of developing an allergy, a composition comprising an allergen, wherein substantially 100% of said allergen in said composition is complexed, or conjugated, with aluminum, in a sufficient amount and during sufficient time to reduce, or eliminate, an allergic response of said mammal to said allergen. 
     
     
         18 . Method according to  claim 17 , wherein said mammal is a human mammal. 
     
     
         19 . Method according to  claim 17  or  claim 18 , wherein said allergen is a peanut kernel protein extract and the allergic response is an allergic response to peanut exposure. 
     
     
         20 . Method according to  claim 19 , wherein said peanut kernel protein extract is modified by reduction and subsequent alkylation.